West of the Water Tower

Book excerpt: Adrian Plummer is a narrow-minded preacher; Charles Chew, the richest man in the town is a confirmed atheist. So when Plummer's son, Guy and Chew's daughter, Bee, fall in love, neither family looks well on the union. Cod Dugan , who runs the local poolroom, has gotten fed up with Plummer's lectures, so he decides to get back at the preacher. He takes the young couple to a squire in another town who marries them. Then, Dugan never bothers to pick up the marriage certificate. When Bee is about to have a baby and the couple can't prove they are married, scandal rocks the town. Bee goes away to have the child, but Guy stays behind and braves the taunts, even when his father is forced to resign his pulpit. Guy is instrumental in getting a highway built through town and when the squire tracks him down with the marriage certificate, all is forgiven.